Psoriasis is the most common form of chronic dermatosis. This is a complex disease that can manifest itself in different ways and have a different origin. In most cases, psoriasis is considered a non-life-threatening disease. But there is information about the death of this ailment in connection with its improper treatment.
A person can simultaneously suffer from several forms of psoriasis.
Who can get sick?
Psoriasis can occur in people of any age and gender.
In infants, the first signs of psoriasis appear in the inguinal folds and resemble a sweatshirt.
In adults, psoriasis can begin mainly in two different ways:
1. Small papules are firm to the touch. They can be located on the palms, elbows, less often on the knee and ankle joints. If itching and pain are present when touching, then these are real signs of psoriasis, and not just irritation. With these symptoms, you need to urgently consult a doctor, since single papules will quickly develop into plaques. And it’s very difficult to cure them. The affected area causes severe itching and discomfort.
2. A rounded red spot appeared. This rash is characterized by the presence of a large number of whitish scales. During the development of the disease, these rashes thicken and condense, and also become convex. These rashes form psoriatic plaques. In appearance, they resemble drops of a paraffin candle, frozen on the skin.
First signs of the disease
Beginning psoriasis is expressed in the appearance of papules, which are small-sized flaky nodules. They have a dark pink color, tight to the touch, slightly protrude above the surface of the skin.
The first sign of psoriasis can be the appearance of a rash on areas of the body that can be most friction-prone, and the skin in these places is dry. These are such places:
- palms or elbows;
- under the knees;
- lower legs;
- lateral parts of the lower back;
- inguinal folds;
- scalp.
The location of the rash depends on the form of the disease.
The initial stage of psoriasis on the skin is barely noticeable and does not cause discomfort to the patient. But it is early treatment that will help to avoid severe forms of this disease, in which there is damage to the nails of the hands and feet, mucous surfaces, and then - the joints of a person.
Psoriasis is characterized by three distinctive features:
- "The effect of stearin stain." When scraping plaques, small and transparent flakes peel off easily.
- "The effect of the terminal film." If you remove the scales, the skin at this place will be thin, shiny, and it will also be red.
- "The effect of bloody dew." After scraping, tiny droplets of blood appear on the skin.
Also, the manifestation of psoriasis can be characterized by a change and stratification of the nails.
Types of Psoriasis
A unified classification of this disease has not yet been developed, but its main types are distinguished in accordance with the nature of the rash.
The first type is non-pulmonary, it is characterized by the spread of a rash over the entire surface of the skin. Includes such subspecies as:
- Simple (vulgar) or otherwise ordinary, it is most common among all types of psoriasis. It usually proceeds in a stable chronic form.
- Psoriatic erythroderma always passes in severe form, severely damaging the skin. May provoke other deadly diseases.
The second main form of psoriasis is pustular. It is characterized by the formation of not papules, but such formations as pustules. They are vesicles on the skin within which serum fluid collects. This type of disease can be spread both over the entire surface of the body and in a specific area, most often it is the palms and feet.
The following subspecies of pustular psoriasis are distinguished:
- persistent acrodermatitis (psoriasis of the soles of the feet and palms of the hands);
- Barber's palmoplantal view (chronically flowing pustulosis of the extremities);
- generalized psoriasis von Tsumbush;
- psoriatic herpetiform impetigo;
- ring erythema;
- annular form of pustular psoriasis.
This classification does not include, but the following forms of this disease belong to psoriasis:
- drug dependent;
- seborrheic psoriasis occurs on the scalp, the skin becomes yellowish, there is no inflammatory process;
- reverse on the surfaces of the folds and skin folds;
- exudative.
The main theories of the appearance of the disease
Scientists do not yet give an exact answer to the question of what causes psoriasis.
In accordance with the immune theory, the cause of psoriasis is a violation of the human immune system. That is, immunity reacts to skin cells as aggressors and begins to fight them. This theory is also confirmed by the fact that the first signs of psoriasis often occur against a background of various diseases of an infectious origin, such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc.
The second theory of psoriasis is genetic. That is, human genes are predisposed to the manifestation of psoriasis.
The endocrine theory suggests that the impetus for the manifestation of the disease is an abnormal level of hormones. The necessary level of hormones controls the normal process of skin cell division. And if there are too few or too many hormones, then the skin cells begin to divide intensely, which causes psoriasis. In support of this theory, it is also said that often psoriasis can occur during hormonal changes in the body, such as pregnancy, menstruation or ovulation. But scientists still can not identify the hormone responsible for the manifestation of the first signs of psoriasis and its further development.
Proponents of the neurogenic theory say that the ailment arises as a result of stress and psychoemotional overstrain. Vasomotor neurosis causes vasoconstriction, which leads to a decrease in blood supply to the skin.
Violation of metabolic processes in the body can also cause psoriasis. It has been noticed that people who suffer from psoriasis can have high cholesterol, lower body temperature, and there is a lack of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates in the body.
Causes of Psoriasis
So, summarizing all of the above, we can understand what can trigger the appearance of an ailment in ordinary life:
- stress, emotional and physical overload;
- diseases of an infectious origin;
- changes in the hormonal system;
- various skin lesions, such as frostbite, burns or injuries;
- taking medications, for example, antibiotics, immunostimulants, vitamins, etc .;
- unbalanced diet, alcohol abuse;
- a sharp change in climate;
- other skin diseases.
Psoriasis treatment
You can’t try to cure psoriasis yourself, but first of all you need to go to a dermatologist. The disease should be treated comprehensively with the use of external agents, the introduction of injections and the use of instrumental methods of treatment.
The disease requires compulsory treatment, since over time, if untreated, plaques cover more and more large areas of the body. The disease reaches a critical stage 3-4 years after the onset and causes irreversible consequences, such as psoriatic arthritis (inflammation of the joints) or erythroderma (a severe skin lesion).
For external treatment and care, shampoos, ointments, creams, gels are used. The most effective drugs:
- hormonal agents;
- medicines based on petroleum refined products;
- ointments with a solid or fat base;
- mustard creams.
Some drugs may develop addiction, so the duration of their use should be limited.
Oral Medicines
Medicines help to cure not only psoriasis, but also improve the functioning of internal organs. The list of drugs that can be prescribed to a patient with psoriasis at a appointment with a dermatologist:
- antibiotics
- antihistamines;
- sedatives;
- immunomodulatory drugs ;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- enterosorbents;
- hepatoprotectors, as well as enzymes.
Usually, oral preparations are prescribed only after local therapy has not brought the desired result. Most drugs have contraindications and cause side effects, so they should be drunk as prescribed by the doctor and the regimen and dose of the drug should be strictly observed.
Non-drug treatments for psoriasis
Among them, the following methods exist:
- laser, magnetic, and electrotherapy;
- PUVA therapy;
- ultraviolet;
- x-ray irradiation;
- laser treatment.
How to protect yourself from psoriasis?
This disease can recur, that is, having faded, flare up with renewed vigor. Here are the simple prevention rules:
- physical and emotional relaxation;
- use hygiene products for the skin with medicinal properties or neutral;
- good balanced nutrition;
- Keep away from injuries, burns, etc.
- use drugs according to the instructions and as prescribed by the doctor;
- timely treat infectious diseases.
Thanks to this, psoriasis can go into remission for a long time and not disturb a person.